Tigers look for breakthrough top four scalp against Lions

The Tigers are fourth with a 2-2 record, and their seven-point loss in windy conditions against the in-form Hoppers was an encouraging sign after they were comprehensively beaten by 72 points against another contender in Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes in round two.

The next step is beating a fellow top four team, with their next chance at Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong on Sunday.

"It was probably the most pleasing performance I've walked away from all year from a coaching perspective," Stephenson said.

"Even though we didn't get the win I was pretty proud of the guys, and happy with the effort.

"To sustain that is probably the hardest thing to do in footy. That's the big tick, and the rest will follow.

"Even in wins against Leeton and Griffith we weren't on for four quarters, and against Coolamon we were. They're a good side and we matched them for four quarters, and only went down by a bit more than a kick."

The result has even more merit given Nick Ryan (illness), Jock Cornell (ankle) and Charlie Bance were late withdrawals, while ruckman Tom Osmotherly hurt his shoulder early in the second half and didn't finish the game.

"You just take away we're capable physically and mentally of giving four quarters of effort," Stephenson said.

"The heartbreaking thing for the guys is unfortunately we don't get rewarded for effort, you've got to execute as well.

"We've looked at a few things we can change to try and take our opportunities."

Ryan Falkenberg played his first game for the club on Saturday in windswept conditions not ideal for a key forward, but won't be available this week.

The Tigers hope he will help make them more unpredictable in attack and take some of the pressure off Stephenson up forward.

The versatile Nathan Cooke has also spent most of his time up forward this year, which has proven to be a success.

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"He (Falkenberg) is quality, as are a couple of other guys we've been running through there," Stephenson said.

"We've moved Nathan Cooke there to play a role up forward, and his first handful of games this year have been exceptional.

"We're trying to find a mix that's going to get us as many avenues to goal as possible. That's the key, at times we've been lacking a bit there this year but we're on the right track.

"It probably wasn't ideal (conditions for Falkenberg's first game), but he'll be better for the run and there's no concerns with him, the best is yet to come for sure."

The Lions will be stinging after last week's 49-point loss to the Goannas, and Stephenson said the Tigers are expecting a strong response from the hosts.

"You wouldn't be backing them for two poor performances in a row," Stephenson said.

"Obviously they can score, we've seen that in the first few rounds. They've got a couple of key guys up forward in (Riley) Corbett and (George) Alexander, they're going to be a threat and we'll have to put some time into them.

The Tigers could also be without defender Hamish Gilmore due to Greater Western Sydney Giants Academy commitments.

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